It’s easy to take for granted that people are remarkable when they are familiar to you. The first time I realized my Father was brilliant was some time in university. He told me a story about how he taught himself to write code when he was an economics lecturer—so he could automate his marking and grading of student work. That was in the 80s. Automating the grading of students the likes of Mukwandi Chibesakunda, Savior Chibiya and others.
His idea of fun is reading Stephen Hawking and working through the math. He wanted to be a physicist or architect, ended up being an Economist. Writes his Journals in German. Pretty sure he could have been whatever he wanted and have done well at it. Chooses the thankless work of Public Service because he actually believes in the possibility of social flourishing.
Keep doing what you love, old boy.